Song of the Day: Gold & Youth – Time To Kill

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s selection, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, comes from British Columbia band Gold & Youth. After recently signing to Arts & Crafts Productions, they released the single “Time To Kill,” which is hopefully the first of many good tunes to come. It hails from their debut release, currently slated for a Spring release.

Gold & Youth takes an electronic sound to a live band presence. They are known for their live show throughout Canada and have opened for bands like The Temper Trap and Metric. With their new deal struck with Arts & Crafts, there is no doubt that we’ll be seeing more of these guys in the near future.

“Time To Kill” is a great introduction to the Gold & Youth sound. It’s a slow building emotional grind that will entice fans of both the above bands, as well as the xx. Starting with a simple, bass-driven synth texture, the emotion to the chorus and then drops again. A minimalist guitar line refocuses your attention to the instrumentation and builds anticipation to a bigger swell. When the track finally breaks into a jam, you’ll be hooked.

“Time To Kill” doesn’t force any reaction from the listener. Rather, it will happen naturally. With simple lyrics and simple vocal melodies, Gold & Youth aren’t trying to reel you in on huge hooks or tear jerking arrangement. You’ll find yourself bonding with the sound on your own accord. “Time To Kill” is an excellent track from a great rising act, and you’ll definitely want to know the name when their album drops in a couple months.

Currently, their only tour dates are in the U.K. for an Arts & Crafts showcase and London and then The Great Escape in Brighton. Keep checking their Facebook page and Tumblr for updates, as they’re sure to come back to the Northwest soon enough. For now, here’s a quick album teaser: